Dates & Times: Tuesdays: 14th / 21st / 28th Sept + 5th Oct – 6pm UK / 7pm Berlin / 10am LA / 1pm NYC

2-hours each session

!Limited capacity – only 25 spaces available!

Pricing excluding kit, components to be purchased separately – see kit list in requirements section 

Level: Beginner – Intermediate

Create immersive interactive experiences. Combine Arduino with TouchDesigner, a powerful node based programming environment with endless possibilities for interactive installation, marketing activations, generative art, multimedia performance, and more! In this course you will learn very basic electronics, introductory Arduino skills, and the fundamental concepts of interaction using sensors and inputs to control video in TouchDesigner.

By the end of this workshop series you will be able to:

• Create Arduino based electronic prototypes
• Control video in TouchDesigner with sensors and your own custom hardware interfaces
• Utilize TouchDesigner to map software interactions to physical electronic systems
• Apply interaction design concepts for developing installations and brand activations

Series Study Topics

• TouchDesigner to control Digital and PWM output
• Switches and Digital inputs mapped to states in TouchDesigner
• Analog sensors, smoothing data and creating meaningful interactions
• Strengths, weaknesses and limitations of hardware and software.

Requirements

• A computer with Internet connection
• Arduino / Electronics kit
• 3-button mouse
• TouchDesigner and Arduino software

About the workshop leader

Kyle Duffield is a Toronto based Interactive Experience Design Professional who creates immersive interactive installations and brand activations. He is also known for his affiliation with the studio space Electric Perfume. His decade-plus expertise spans audio, video, creative coding, electronics, and interaction design with the intent of bringing play and multisensory spectacle to public spaces. As an Educator, he has facilitated interactive media courses and workshops with various institutions, galleries, and universities across Canada, Shanghai, the UK, and online. Currently, Kyle is a Cycling 74 Max Certified Trainer, and is focusing on creating unforgettable technological experiences.

Pricing excluding kit, components to be purchased separately – see kit list in requirements section 

Level: Beginner-Intermediate

Want your Arduino to control audio, video, generative 3D visuals, or even Ableton Live? Combine Arduino with Max 8, a powerful visual programming environment opens up many possibilities for interactive installation, generative art, multimedia performance, and more! You will learn very basic electronics, introductory Arduino skills, and how to use sensors and inputs to control Max 8!

By the end of this workshop series you will be able to:

• Create Arduino based electronic prototypes

• Control audio in Max 8 with sensors and your own custom hardware interfaces

• Utilize Max to map software interactions to physical electronic systems

• Apply interaction design concepts for developing installations and performances

Session Study Topics: 

• Max 8 to control Digital and PWM output

• Switches and Digital inputs mapped to states in Max 8

• Analog sensors, smoothing data and creating meaningful interactions

• Strengths, weaknesses and limitations of hardware and software.

Requirements

• A computer with Internet connection

• Arduino / Electronics kit  please check you can order all of these parts before the series starts

• Max software – either free trial or full licence 

• Arduino software

About the workshop leader:

Kyle Duffield is a Toronto based Interactive and Experience Design Professional who creates immersive interactive installations and brand activations. He is also known for his affiliation with the studio and former gallery, Electric Perfume. As an educator, and technical consultant, he has facilitated interactive media workshops and projects with institutions across Canada, Shanghai, and online. Currently, Kyle is participating in Cycling 74’s Max Certified Trainer Program, and is focusing on creating unforgettable technological experiences.

Dates: Thursdays 4th / 11th / 18th / 25th February 2021 6pm GMT

Level: Intermediate +

Overview

In this series of 4 workshops, we’ll look at how to interconnect the different 80 modules that come with Vsynth, exploring video techniques and practices that can create aesthetics associated with the history of the electronic image but also complex patterns founded in some basic functions of nature.

Vsynth is a high level package of modules for Max/Jitter that together make a modular video synthesizer. Its simplicity made it the perfect tool to introduce yourself to video synthesis and image processing. Since It can be connected to other parts of Max, other softwares and hardwares it can also become a really powerful and adaptable video tool for any kind of job.

Here’s what you’ll learn in each workshop:

Workshop 1:

Learn the fundamentals of digital video-synthesis by diving into the different video oscillators, noise generators, mixers, colorizers and keyers. By the end of this session students will be able to build simple custom video-synth patches with presets.

• Video oscillators, mixers, colorizers.

Workshop 2: 

• Modulations (phase, frequency, pulse, hue, among others).

In this workshop we will focus on the concept of modulation so that students can add another level of complexity to their patches. We’ll see the differences between modulating parameters of an image with simple LFOs or with other images. Some of the modulations we’ll cover are Phase, Frequency, Pulse Width, Brightness & HUE.

Workshop 3:

• Filters/convolutions and video feedback techniques.

• This 3rd workshop is divided in two. In the first half, we’ll go in depth in what actually means low or high frequencies in the image world. We’ll then use Low-pass and High-pass filters/convolutions in different scenarios to see how they affect different images.

• In the second, half we’ll go through a lot of different techniques that uses the process of video-feedback. From simple “trails” effects to more complex reaction-diffusion like patterns!

Workshop 4:

• Working with scenes and external controllers (audio, midi, arduino).

• In this final workshop we’ll see how to bundle in just one file several Vsynth patches/scenes with presets for live situations. We’ll also export a patch as a Max for Live device and go in depth into “external control” in order to successfully control Vsynth parameters with audio, midi or even an Arduino.

Requirements

• Intermediate knowledge of Max and Jitter

• Have latest Max 8 installed

• Basic knowledge of audio-synthesis and/or computer graphics would be useful

About the workshop leader

Kevin Kripper (Buenos Aires, 1991) is a visual artist and indie software developer. He’s worked on projects that link art, technology, education and toolmaking, which have been exhibited and awarded in different art and science festivals. Since 2012 he’s been dedicated to creating digital tools that extend the creative possibilities of visual artists and musicians from all over the world.

During these workshops you will prototype your own instrument (hardware and software) using an Arduino microcontroller, sensors, and Max or Pure Data.

Registration includes access to all sessions.

You will be introduced to the basics of working with an Arduino microcontroller and interfacing it with a computer software in order to generate, control and manipulate sound. We will use open source hardware and software (Arduino / Max or Pure Data) to prototype an instrument using buttons, switches, potentiometers and sensors. We will start by looking at the basics such as setting up Arduino and running sketches, analog vs digital pins, Arduino programming environment, basic electronic, etc. From there we will get a bit more advanced by looking at the serial communication, connecting sensors to Arduino, reading and values from sensors, and controlling sound parameters with them.

Requirements

Beginner with notions of programming. All participants are required to have a computer with pre-installed Arduino IDE and Max or PureData.

Downloads:

• arduino: https://www.arduino.cc/
• Pure Data: http://puredata.info/downloads
• Max: https://www.cycling74.com
• Useful but not essential: wire cutters & strippers, multimeters, soldering irons

Components (not included, please order):

• Arduino board + USB cable. If your laptop doesn’t have a USB port please make sure you have an adapter! USB cable not included!
• Breadboard
• Jumper wires
• Resistors (1k)
• Resistors (10k)
• Light dependent resistor a.k.a. LDR a.k.a. light sensor:
• 10k potentiometer
• Mini buttons

This practice-led course will show you how to make an electronic textile interface for music performance. We will learn a DIY technique to craft with e-textile materials and then explore how to make music with the handcrafted interface in a number of ways. Each session will follow on from the last, developing your knowledge through a series of hands-on projects, delivered in four online workshops. 

Level: beginner with notions of DIY electronics and programming

• Some familiarity or experience of working with Arduino and/or Max/MSP (or similar platforms) is desirable
• A tabletop space to work at
• Computer, with USB port
• Arduino IDE (Free – download here: https://www.arduino.cc/en/Main/Software)
• Max 8 (Free 30 day trial available – you will be instructed to download this for the final session)

This workshop is available internationally. Please order your DIY kit before the dispatch date for your location. Kits will be posted using a Royal Mail tracked service.

UK dispatch date: Friday 17th November

Worldwide dispatch date: Friday 3rd November

We will work with the Lilypad Arduino, a microcontroller board designed for use with e-textiles and wearables projects, and Max/MSP, an object-orientated programming language for music making. The workshop series will cover the fundamentals of working with e-textiles and these technologies, giving a basis for participants to continue to develop their creative ideas when working with sound and interactive textiles.

Tues 24th Nov, 6pm UK –  Workshop 1: Crafting an e-textile interface

In this workshop, we will explore an approach to working with electronic textiles and handcraft. This workshop will introduce needle felting as a DIY method of working with e-textiles. We will make an interactive and touch sensitive textile interface, to then be used in a number of ways, throughout the four sessions of this course. Through crafting the brightly coloured interface, we will explore a creative approach to interface design and learn how traditional crafts can be combined with e-textile materials to result in novel interfaces for music performance.

Tues 1st Dec, 6pm UK – Workshop 2: Bringing your craft work to life: capacitive sensing and visualising sensor data with the Lilypad Arduino

In this session, we will transform the needle felted piece from Workshop 1 into an interactive and touch sensitive interface. We will introduce the Lilypad Arduino and explore capacitive sensing as a method of bringing your textile work to life. You will learn several approaches to visualising interaction data on screen, as well as the fundamentals of working with Arduino IDE.

Tues 8th Dec, 6pm UK – Workshop 3: Composing through code: making an e-textile step sequencer with the Lilypad Arduino

This week, we will develop our coding skills and learn an approach to using your e-textile interface with the Lilypad Arduino, as a standalone music making device. We will write, edit and compose through code, to create a playful step sequencer that makes music as you touch the textile interface. 

Tues 15th Dec, 6pm UK – Workshop 4: Interactive textiles and Max/MSP

Workshop 4 will introduce a method of using your handcrafted interface with Max/MSP. From this workshop, you will know how to program your Lilypad Arduino, to allow your e-textile interface to control parameters in a Max patch. We will make a software-based sampler, where pre-recorded sound files are triggered by touching the interactive textile interface. Some familiarity and a basic working knowledge of Max/MSP is desirable, but not essential. Participants with experience in Max are welcome to bring their own patches to experiment with.

—

A DIY kit, with all of the craft tools and materials you will need, is included in the workshop price and will be posted to your home in advance of the course.  

There are two kits available, please select the kit that you will require: 

Kit 1 is a full kit and includes a Lilypad Arduino and all of the craft tools and materials you will need for the course. 

Kit 2 includes all of the craft tools and materials you will need to make the e-textile interface, but does not include the Lilypad Arduino and USB cable. 

(Kit 2 is best suited if you already have a Lilypad Arduino or would prefer to use an alternative board. Please note that this course focuses on working with the Lilypad and so support for alternative boards will be limited and only recommended for more experienced participants.)

Kit 1 contents:

• Lilypad Arduino
• USB cable
• 10 x crocodile clips
• Speaker
• Wool 
• Steel wool
• 3 x Needle felting tools 
• Embroidery hoop
• Fabric
• Copper tape

Kit 2 contents:

• 10 x crocodile clips
• Speaker
• Wool 
• Steel wool
• 3 x Needle felting tools 
• Embroidery hoop
• Fabric
• Copper tape